North Charleston, SC – Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day might not have the same national notoriety as National Signing Day. However, in the Lowcountry, this regional collaborative effort with school districts, businesses, and organizations is picking up steam.

The 4th Annual Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day was held at Trident Technical College (TTC) August 8, 2017. Sixty-one students, including 27 from Charleston County School District (CCSD), made their commitment to local businesses “official” by signing a document.

“Our Youth Apprenticeship Program is just one of many ways that CCSD prepares students to be college, career, and citizenship ready,” said Rich Gordon, CCSD’s Career and Technology Education Executive Director. “Apprenticeships, aligned with the appropriate classroom instruction, provide rigorous and relevant academic, technical, and employability training for a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand 21st century careers.”

Modeled after National Signing Day, where high school student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent to colleges or universities where they will play a sport, Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day gives students who are going into the workforce at a young age a similar experience when it comes to excitement and importance.

“This event provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the most exciting educational initiative I have experienced in my entire career,” said Trident Technical College President Mary Thornley. “It is exciting because this program has power. It has the power to change lives in remarkable ways and the power to accelerate our economy and build a strong community. It is also exciting because it is a shining example of the type of change that can occur when multiple organizations work together in a united effort to achieve a common goal.”

Special thanks to signing day’s keynote speaker Amy Firestone from the US Department of Labor. And special thanks to Debbie Meuli, formally with local manufacturer IFA Rotorion, for sharing the story on how the Charleston region’s Youth Apprenticeship program began over 4 years ago with a meeting she hosted after the president of her company asked, “Where are my Youth Apprentices?”

Thanks to the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, and their Accelerate Greater Charleston initiative, the participating students’ college tuition and fees were taken care of for the inaugural cohort, and this wonderful support for the Charleston’s Youth Apprenticeship program continues today!

The following CCSD students and graduates participated in the 2017 Youth Apprenticeship Signing Day:

Special thanks to all the amazing partners that ensure this opportunity is available for students in the Charleston region, including: the host companies in 16 career pathways, Trident Technical College, Apprenticeship Carolina, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, the US Department of Labor, and educators in schools throughout the community.

Are you interested in becoming an Industrial Mechanic?

Would you like to learn more about a career using CNC Machine Tool Technology?

Charleston Manufacturers will be offering rising high school juniors the opportunity to “earn while they learn” through the Youth Apprenticeships program.

If you would like to learn more about this great opportunity for current CCSD sophomores, meet participating employers, and find out how to apply for next year’s program, please join us on February 12, 2015 at 6:30 pm in Building 920 Room 791.

See THIS FLYER for more details, including the list of host companies, and speak with your CTE Teacher and Guidance Counselor about this terrific opportunity.

Are you a Computer Networking or Computer Programming Major, or interested in a professional career in an Information Technology field?

Charleston Information Technology employers will be offering rising high school juniors the opportunity to “earn while they learn” through youth apprenticeships!

If you would like to learn more about this great opportunity, meet participating employers and find out how to apply for next year’s program, please join us on February 26, 2015 at 6:30 pm, Building 920 Room 791.

SeeTHIS FLYER for more details, including the list of participating business partners.

Charleston hospitality organizations will be offering rising high school juniors the opportunity to “earn while they learn” through paid youth apprenticeships!

If you would like to learn more about this great opportunity, meet participating employers and find out how to apply for next year’s program, please join us on February 5, 2015 at 6:30 pm, Building 920, Room 791

See THIS FLYERfor more details, including the extensive list of participating local businesses, and speak with your CTE Teacher and Guidance Counselor to determine if this opportunity is a good fit for you.